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Shocker: SIFAX Boss, Taiwo Afolabi’s Twin Brother is Dead

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By Michael Effiong

Just a few months after they celebrated their 60th birthday, silent billionaire and owner of Marriot Hotel, Ikeja Lagos, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has lost his twin brother, Kehinde.

Mr Afoalbinwith family

Family sources revealed to The Boss that the tragic incident which happened this morning in Lagos was broken to the family just as they were about begining the introduction ceremony of his neice which was holding at Dr. Afolabi’s home in Ikoyi.

Mr Kehinde Afolabi  reportedly died in his sleep. He was last seen publicly when the twin brothers hosted a thanksgiving service where they built and dedicated the Samson Afolabi church in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State as part of their 60th birthday.

We were told that everyone was heartbroken when the news began to spread and the intimate ceremony losts it glow.

Dr. Afolabi who is the Executive Vice Chairman of SIFAX Group, was his ever cool, calm and collected self. The very religious gentleman was the one who was calming people as he was stoic all through

Kehinde Afolabi was a businessman with investments in the Hospitality industry. He is the Chairman & CEO, Ken Dallas Hotel & Suites, located in the Idimu area of Lagos. It is a 3-Star Hotel with lodging facilities, a bar and a club.

He had his primary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Yernoja, Ondo and also attended Mushin College, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He has been in the Hospitality business since 1990.

He was a recipient of many awards and  a member of Lions Club International and Co-Founder of Ajoke Aishat Afolabi Foundation, an NGO named after his mother, which caters for the less privileged, especially indigent women and girls. Hundreds of children are on the NGO’s scholarship.

He was a generous man that supported the career of some of Nigeria’s notable artistes, including Naira Marley, Mega 99 and LAX.

He was married to Yemisi Afolabi and blessed with three lovely children – Ayomide (son), Adunola (daughter), and  Toluwabori (son).

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An Open Appeal for Accountability: A Gentle Request to General Ibrahim Babangida

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His Excellency, General Ibrahim Babangida GCFR,

Dear Sir,

It is with great respect and sincerity that we write this open letter to you following the release of your memoir, A Journey in Service, launched on February 20, 2025. The memoir has undoubtedly stirred up many discussions and emotions, providing a unique opportunity for you to share your perspective on the events of your tenure.

However, as the book reviews the past, there remains one undeniable truth that continues to resonate deeply in the hearts of millions of Nigerians: the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, and the significant consequences that followed, stands as a pivotal moment in our nation’s history—a moment for which responsibility must be owned.

Now, we do not wish to be one of those overly harsh critics who seek to lay all the blame at your feet without offering a fair and balanced reflection of your time in office. Indeed, your leadership, for better or worse, played a significant role in shaping the modern political landscape of Nigeria. But, Sir, there are certain facts that cannot be ignored. The June 12 annulment, whether driven by internal conflict or external pressures, happened under your watch, and the implications of that decision continue to echo through our national consciousness.

In your memoir, you offer a fascinating narrative in which you cast General Sani Abacha as a key player in the annulment, suggesting that he may have been the mastermind behind it. While we understand the complexity of the situation you faced, this version of events—of you being completely unaware and outmaneuvered—leaves many of us wondering: Was the Commander-in-Chief truly so powerless, or is there a deeper truth to be uncovered? You were the leader, Sir, and while it’s understandable that in the fog of political maneuvering, some events can feel beyond one’s control, it is also important to recognize the role you played in that fateful moment.

To be fair, General Abacha was, without question, a man of strength, determination, and, dare I say, cunning—a figure whose political acumen often overshadowed the rest. One might say he was a bit like a master chess player, always two steps ahead. But, as any strategist knows, the moves of the game depend on who’s holding the pieces. You, as the Commander-in-Chief, had the ultimate responsibility to ensure that those pieces didn’t fall into the wrong hands. And yet, the question remains: why, after all that had transpired in the years leading to the annulment, did you leave the pieces scattered for someone else to claim?

While General Abacha has often been painted in less-than-flattering terms, history also reminds us of his role in stabilizing the country after the political chaos of 1993. Yes, his rule was not without controversy, but under his leadership, Nigeria found some measure of economic stability—an achievement that, in hindsight, should not be dismissed. As much as one might wish to rewrite the past with the benefit of hindsight, the reality is that the annulment left Nigeria in turmoil, and the subsequent years were marked by a deepening sense of distrust in the political system.

Sir, we’re not asking you to become a scapegoat or to bear the full weight of the world’s frustrations. What I ask is far simpler, and, dare I say, more dignified: take full ownership of the decisions made during your time in office, particularly the events surrounding June 12. It is not uncommon for leaders to reflect on their legacies and acknowledge where things went wrong. There is immense power in that simple act of honesty, an act that would be a fitting tribute to your long and storied career.

We know, Sir, that leadership is not without its challenges. You navigated a complex political landscape and faced pressures that many of us could scarcely imagine. But leadership also demands accountability. And so, as we reflect on your memoir and the many twists and turns of your time in office, we ask that you acknowledge the undeniable consequences of June 12, 1993. It’s not just about taking responsibility for the past; it’s about providing the Nigerian people with the closure they deserve.

Yes, we know that Nigeria under your leadership achieved certain feats—whether economic, military, or diplomatic. Your time in office is, without question, marked by significant events and decisions that shaped the direction of the country. But, Sir, as the pages of history turn, we must also acknowledge that no legacy is complete without a candid reflection on its darker chapters.

Additionally, Sir, as we reflect on the painful history of June 12, we cannot ignore the lasting injustice suffered by the late Moshood Abiola and his family. Abiola was the victor of what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election—a victory that was cruelly denied by your administration. His subsequent suffering, the wrongful imprisonment, and his untimely death are a stain on Nigeria’s history. We ask you, Sir, to consider the profound impact of your actions on Abiola’s legacy, and on the history of our nation.

In the spirit of reconciliation and national healing, we respectfully urge you to take concrete steps to offer restitution to the Abiola family. This could take the form of an official national apology, full recognition of MKO Abiola as Nigeria’s democratically elected president, and ensuring that his family receives the honors and entitlements that they were unjustly deprived of. Acknowledging the wrong done to them would not only be an act of justice but also a significant step towards healing the wounds of the past.

And so, General Babangida, with all due respect, we ask that you look to the future and, in doing so, offer the Nigerian people the respect of a full acknowledgment of the past. It’s never too late to set the record straight.

In closing, let us say that we hold you in high regard—not only for your leadership and achievements but also for the unique character that you brought to Nigerian politics. The strength, intelligence, and determination you exhibited were, and remain, a defining feature of your era. It is not lost on me, however, that leadership is more than just a reflection of success—it is also an opportunity to humbly accept the weight of mistakes.

We pray for your continued health and strength as you continue to serve your God and the people of Nigeria in whatever capacity remains. Your story is far from over, and the final chapters are still to be written.

With the deepest respect,
we remain,
Yours sincerely,

Richard Odusanya/_adeABANIDA_

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June 12 Anulmemt: CDHR Seeks Babangida’s Prosecution

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The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), has implored President Bola Tinubu, to prosecute Nigeria’s former Military President, General Babangida for crimes against humanity and for annuling the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election that subverted the democratic will of the Nigerian people.

Babangida, had few days ago admitted that Bashorun MKO Abiioa, won the presidential election, and begged Nigerians to forgive him for annuling the election.

Babangida’s belated admission is not only an affront to the principles of democracy and justice but also a clear acknowledgment of his direct involvement in an act that plunged Nigeria into years of political turmoil, civil unrest, loss of lives and properties and inestimable economic hardship, Debo Adeniran, President of CDHR, in a statement on Friday.

He reasoned that such action should be regarded as a coup d’état to the administration of M.K.O Abiola who was robbed in broad daylight and denied the opportunity of savouring his well-deserved victory at the polls.

He told President Tinubu that Babangida’s prosecution should not be difficult since the chief plotter has confessed to these crimes in public and in writing as published in his book, “A Journey in Service”.

According to him, the fact that the result of that election was already in public domain and everybody knew that Abiola won the election, before Babangida in his typical deft ‘Maradonic’ maneuvering of people’s sensibilities stopped the official announcement of the remaining results, made the annulment as good as committing a coup d’état against the administration the people voted for.

He added: “His actions meet the threshold of crime against humanity, as they resulted in widespread human rights abuses and the repression of pro-democracy activists and ultimately affected huge number of people who were affected by the misrule and misgovernance that followed that inglorious annulment.

“We would also like to remind President Tinubu that just as he said that Babangida lost the opportunity to become a hero with the annulment of the June 12 election, he (President Tinubu) should not lose that opportunity of becoming the hero of the June 12 struggle by announcing MKO Abiola as a past Nigerian president with full privileges of the status posthumously granted him and his family.

“We would also like the government of the day to punish the likes of all beneficiaries of the coup d’état, especially late Chief Ernest Shonekan, and those that served in his kangaroo and illegal cabinet called the “Interim National Government”. His successor, late Gen. Sanni Abacha, Justice Ikpeme, who delivered the midnight verdict to accentuate the journey to perdition, spineless late Humphrey Nwosu, who succumbed to illegal instructions to truncate announcement of the election results and all others who benefitted from the annulment of the election one way or the other”.

He suggested that the national honours conferred on them should be withdrawn and the benefits being paid to the families of the dead ones among them should also be withdrawn.

He added that the physical belongings that they may have acquired during their illegal stay in office should also be confiscated even when some of them could no longer be prosecuted because they are no longer alive.

Besides, he urged the Nigerian judiciary, relevant anti-corruption agencies, and international human rights organizations to take decisive action in ensuring that justice is served,adding that the culture of impunity must end, and those responsible for Nigeria’s democratic setbacks must be held accountable.

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Forbes Ranks Dangote As World’s 86th Wealthiest Person, 1st in Africa

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Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has seen his wealth nearly doubled to $23.9 billion, according to Forbes, which ranks the Nigerian entrepreneur as the wealthiest person in Africa and 86th in the world. Forbes had ranked Aliko Dangote as the 144th richest person in the world in 2024 with $13.4 billion. Forbes estimates Dangote’s net worth at $23.9 billion, primarily due to his 92.3 percent stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.

At 67 years old, Dangote is once again one of the top 100 richest individuals worldwide, a position he has not held since 2018, according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List.

This places him significantly ahead of South African Johann Rupert, who is ranked 161st in the world with an estimated wealth of $14.4 billion and far above Mike Adenuga, who is the second richest in Nigeria and 481st in the world, with a net worth of $6.8 billion.

Dangote disupted the government’s oil monopoly by building the largest Petroleum Refinery in Africa.

After 11 years, a $23 billion investment, and numerous challenges, the Dangote Refinery began operations last year.

Located on a vast 6,200-acre site in the Lekki Free Zone, the refinery, at full capacity, will process a remarkable 650,000 barrels per day (b/d), making it the seventh-largest refinery in the world and the largest in Africa.

Additionally, the refinery’s adjacent petrochemical complex has an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tons of urea, making it Africa’s largest fertiliser producer.

The Dangote Refinery is already having a significant impact on global energy markets. Imports of petroleum into Nigeria are on track to reach an eight-year low, affecting European refiners that have traditionally sold to Nigeria, according to energy intelligence firm Vortexa.

Furthermore, Nigeria has become a net exporter of jet fuel, naphtha (a solvent used in varnishes, laundry soaps, and cleaning fluids), and fuel oil, according to S&P Global.Dangote sees the refinery as part of a larger vision to transform Nigeria, one of the world’s largest crude oil producers, into a major producer of refined petroleum products.

This would enable Nigeria to compete with European refineries and supply gasoline to Nigerian consumers“I want to provide a blueprint for industrialisation across Africa,” Dangote says in an interview with Forbes.

“We have to build our nation by ourselves. We have to build our continent by ourselves, not [rely on] foreign investment.”

He believes Africa has long been “a mere dumping ground for finished products,” and his refinery represents “a pivotal step in ensuring that Africa can refine its own crude oil, thereby creating wealth and prosperity for its vast population.

”Dangote said the refinery is the biggest risk of his life and without success, it would have affected him greatly.

“It was the biggest risk of my life,” says Dangote about his decision to embark on the project. “If this didn’t work, I was dead.

Zainab Usman, director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, according to Forbes, said Nigerians see Dangote as a hero and a real industrialist transforming the country.

He is seen in most parts of Nigeria as a hero. He is seen as a real industrialist who builds things,” she said.

A professor of African studies at the Soka University of America, Chika Ezeanya, also corroborated this view, noting that Dangote is meeting the needs of consumers on the continent.

“I think he’s believed staunchly in the fact that Nigerians need products that he has to offer,” he said while adding: “Governments can come and go, policies can be changed, but the needs of the Nigerian consumer will only grow and expand.”

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